Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series

After Sark’s arrival at the ball and the way he’d looked at me, like he’d recognized me somehow, I hadn’t wanted to dance any longer. Fear and anger had taken hold of my heart, and all I could do was return to my room and take deep breaths to calm myself. I reminded myself if Sark truly had recognized me or realized what I was, I’d be dead now. We were still safe and our identities were unknown, though I knew that wouldn’t last much longer.

The Dragons were looking for us, that was for sure. Thanks to Calla, they didn’t know who we were or even what we looked like, but it was only a matter of time before we were uncovered. Good thing we were leaving for the Air Temple in the morning.

A massive storm had begun raging as soon as the Dragons had left, and I stared out my window as dozens of lightning bolts hit the spires across the city, filling the sky with dazzling light. Thunder rumbled all around us, as if the Air God himself was displeased.

Heavy footsteps sounded outside my door, which was then thrown open. All four of my mates stood in the doorway looking as if they were going to charge in here with their weapons drawn to defend my honor.

Jasin stood at the front of the group, his dark eyes blazing. “Kira, are you all right?”

“You disappeared from the ball without a word,” Auric said.

I gave them a faint smile. “Yes, I’m fine. I was just a bit shaken from seeing Sark and needed to get away from the crowd.”

“Everyone in the entire room was shaken,” Reven said. “The Dragons do that to people.”

Auric’s hands clenched into fists. “They had some nerve coming to the ball uninvited and threatening my father in front of everyone.”

“Your father handled it well,” I said. “Better than I would have.”

“He’s had many years of practice. And you did well too.”

“I didn’t. If not for you, I would have done something embarrassing.” I shuddered when I remembered Sark’s terrible gaze. “I thought for sure he recognized me at the end.”

“He didn’t,” Slade said. “Or we’d all be dead.”

“I thought the same thing.” I sighed as I sank down onto the bed. “I wish I’d been able to face him without fear, but I was terrified. How am I supposed to actually fight the Dragons someday?”

Auric sat beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “You’ll get there. No one expects you to fight them now. Or any of us for that matter. We have to unlock all of our powers first.”

I leaned against him. “What if the Dragons stop us from getting to the temples?”

“We’ll find a way somehow.”

I nodded, but I wasn’t convinced, and I couldn’t get Sark’s harsh voice out of my head. Nor Isen’s cruel one, for that matter. At least the King had gone along with the plan to accede to some of their wishes to keep his family safe. I hoped we could count on his help someday too—we might need it.

“We have an early start ahead of us,” Slade said. “Best we all get some rest.”

The men agreed, but the thought of being alone in my room left a hollow pit in my stomach. I looked up at the four of them and asked, “Will you all stay with me tonight?” When they stared at me, I added, “Just sleep, nothing more. I just don’t want to be alone, and I think I’ll feel better if you’re all by my side. But if you don’t want to, that’s fine also. I understand.”

“You know I’m always happy to share your bed,” Jasin said.

“Me too,” Auric added.

Slade frowned and glanced at the bed. “Not sure it’s big enough for all of us.”

“Sure it is,” Jasin said, as he flopped onto the bed. He patted the spot next to him. “We just have to get nice and cozy.”

I laughed despite my dark mood and slid onto the bed beside him. He immediately wrapped me in his strong arms and pulled me close, pressing a kiss to my temple. Auric climbed onto the bed on the other side of me and draped his arm over my waist, caging me between the two of them, which was becoming one of my new favorite places to be. Slade reluctantly got onto the bed too beside Jasin, his body stiff as he kept his distance from us as much as possible. He’d likely get a sore neck and I wished he was touching me too, but at least he was here with me instead of pushing me away.

“I’ll sleep in the chair, thanks,” Reven said.

I reached for him, my heart aching with longing. “Reven…”

“That bed is plenty crowded without me joining in. Besides, someone should keep watch.” He settled into a chair and propped his feet up on the table, crossing his arms behind his head.

I sighed, but I couldn’t force him to want to be with me. He was in the room watching over me and that was enough, especially when he’d left me behind only a few days ago. The fact that he stayed now was a big step up.

“Thank you,” I murmured, as I buried myself into Jasin and Auric’s warm bodies. I reached over and ran a hand along Slade’s muscular arm too, taking comfort from his nearby presence. I even felt Reven’s closeness and support as I closed my eyes and drifted away.

When I woke, I found the three of us tangled together, limbs entwined, my hair draped across them, our heartbeats all in sync. Even Slade had come closer during the night as if he couldn’t resist, and now his hand rested on my hip, while my foot rested on his calf. Jasin and Auric were wrapped around me too, and I was blissfully warm and calm for the first time in ages.

Except I really had to relieve myself.

I managed to untangle myself from the men without waking them, though Jasin reached for me and mumbled for me to come back. Reven’s eyes popped open as I padded across the floor to the washroom.

“Sleep well?” he asked, showing no sign he’d been asleep at all.

“Very.” I rested a hand on his shoulder. “Though I wish you would have joined us too.”

“I don’t think that’s ever going to happen. Even if I wanted to, the other guys don’t want me there with you. They don’t trust me. For good reason, I admit.”

“They will. Just give them time.” I bent down and brushed my lips across his dark, stubbled jaw, making his shoulders tense up. I wanted to do more, so much more, but I had to be sure he wanted that too.

I slipped away to the washroom, and when I returned all the men were stretching and waking up, while morning light filtered through the curtains. Though I would have liked to return to bed with them, and possibly do more than sleep, it was time to get going. The Air Temple awaited us.